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DI issues

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by Rip Topaz, Apr 5, 2012.

  1. Apr 5, 2012 #1
    Rip Topaz

    Rip Topaz

    Aug 12, 2005
    Willow Street, PA
    My amp is an Acoustic B200 combo. I've been running from the direct out (XLR) to the PA, but the level of the DI is dependent on the main volume of the amp.

    In other words, in order to get a usable level to the PA, I gotta crank the crap out of my amp. Its frustrating enough to get me to look into other options.

    I've tried using my Irig setup that I use for practice direct into the PA, but as soon as my amp is out of the equation, it just doesn't seem to have the oomph it had before. It doesn't sound BAD, just kinda sterile.

    I run direct when I play at church, so I'm really looking into options that will allow me to not use the amp at all.

    What's my best bet for a good DI sound, that'll work in multiple situations and won't lose low end?
     
  2. Apr 5, 2012 #2
    Dave W

    Dave W

    Mar 1, 2007
    Westchester, NY
    Any decent DI box. Countryman Type 85 or Radial JDI/J48 are my recommendations if you want something excellent and simple. They are industry standard boxes that you'll see on many stages and in lots of studios.

    Many people like having some sort of preamp on the DI as well, like a Sansamp, Eden WTDI, Aguilar Tone Hammer, etc.

    I prefer excellent and simple myself, and use a Type 85 and JDI pretty often.
     
  3. Apr 5, 2012 #3
    nick98338

    nick98338 Guest

    Mar 9, 2012
    Graham, Washington, USA
    I used my brand new Eden WTDI, last week, for the first time in Church. Just the bass, the WTDI and a tuner. That's all. Worked fine. Good tone and level for the PA board and the Avioms.
     
  4. Apr 5, 2012 #4
    Rip Topaz

    Rip Topaz

    Aug 12, 2005
    Willow Street, PA
    Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll check them all out and see where I'm at.
     
  5. Apr 10, 2012 #5
    tech21nyc

    tech21nyc Commercial User

    Aug 17, 2010
    Manufacturer: Tech 21
    On the manual for that amp it shows a volume control for the DI. Do you have that control full up?
     
  6. Apr 10, 2012 #6
    Rip Topaz

    Rip Topaz

    Aug 12, 2005
    Willow Street, PA
    Yes. And I've also tried changing it. There is something that causes the master volume to control the amount of DI, no matter where the DI's volume is set.
     
  7. Apr 11, 2012 #7
    tech21nyc

    tech21nyc Commercial User

    Aug 17, 2010
    Manufacturer: Tech 21
    They should still be able to adjust your level at the board. If they can get a mic hot enough they should easily be able to get a low level DI signal enough gain. That would be the easiest thing to do. Both of my Mackie mixers have 60dB of gain on the mic-preamps and there is 40dB of gain on the line channels.

    The other thing to do if you are not using the EFX loop is to put a volume pedal or any pedal that can reduce the gain in the loop. Since the DI is tapped before the loop you would be able to run the master higher and then reduce the volume before your amp's output stage. Most loops will interrupt the signal being sent to the power section of the amp. That means you could also just run a dummy cable into the efx send only and that will keep the DI active and turn off your bass amps output. Double check with the manufacturer though.